UPDATE: Search continues for woman missing in Penticton house fire

PENTICTON – A 94-year-old woman is missing after a massive house fire that spread to a neighbouring home in Penticton last night.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at approximately 6:15 p.m. yesterday, Oct. 12, to the home in the 3900 block of Lakeside Road.

A 94-year-old woman living in the home is unaccounted for, according to RCMP. The people in the home next door were able to get out out safely.

Deputy chief Chris Forster says the home was fully engulfed in flames when his crews arrived last night.

"It was starting to collapse, so we concentrated on the exposure to the house next door. We were able to save most of the structure on the exposure side, but there was also major damage to that structure as well," Forster says.

Firefighters will be assisted by an excavator today as rubble is removed so hot spots can be put out.

Police and fire crews are also continuing to search for the elderly resident of the first residence.

RCMP are also on scene in a investigating the fire.

Eastside Road remains closed at the scene, with a detour via Brantford Avenue.

A residence next door to the blaze also suffered significant damage. | Photographer: Steve Arstad

— This story was updated at 8:15 p.m. and at 10:50 a.m.Thursday, Oct. 12 with additional details from the Penticton Fire Department.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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